The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-01
OUR UNPROTECTED COASTS.
Admiral Porter Mentions Portland
Among Many DefenceIess Cities.
The Trip Which Two Foreign iron.
cIads Might Make.
Other Subjects Reported by Wash
Ington Correspondents.

inSton correspondents.
WASHINGTON, Oct 31.-In his annual re-
port to the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral
Porter points out various defects in the navy
regulations, which render them in some
cases almost unintelligible, and suggests a re-
vision by the board. He alludes to the high
ability necessary for officers of the engineer
corps, on which depends the efficiency of
ships of war, and regards it as hardly with
in the bounds of possibility that any one
man can be good line officer, engineer and
marine officer.
In considering the question of coast de-
fences, the Admiral states that the following
harbors are entirely defenceless against a
single iron-clad: New York, Boston, San
Francisco, the lake ports, Hampton Roads,
Norfolk, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Wash
ington. Baltimore, Portland (Me.), Rhode
Island ports. Key West, Charleston, Mobile,
Savannah, Galveston, Pensacola, Whining
ton, San Diego Cali and Portsmouth, N. H.,
to say nothing of many other places of great
er or less importance. Two heavy iron-clads
could commence at the easternmost point
and proceed along the coast to Texas, laying
all the ports under contribution. "In time
of war;" says the Admiral, ''the torpedo sys-
TEN will be useless for defence in the alb
sence of proper Notifications and guns; for,
in the event of war, we are no more prepared
than we were year ago, although we have
made beginning" lE the the opinion of the
Admiral, the first step toward the protection
of the coast should be the construction of a
squadron of heavy iron-clads, that could be
ready at weeks notice to anchor off the
shore and resist an approaching enemy. If
defeated this force could retire to the pro-
lection of the forts where, united, they could
offer more than twice the resistance they
length in favor of subsidies for shipping.
Not CreditabIe Performance.
Mr.. Frank Richardson, of the Baltimore
Sun, who has just returned from Europe, in
his correspondence today says Several
gentlemen recently returned from Europe,
personal friends of Mr.. Blaine, and who saw
much of him. are justly emphatic in the ex-
preston of indignation over the conduct
toward him Of Chicago newspaper. This
paper put on the track of Mr.. Blaine, from
the moment he planted foot on the other
side, detective writer. This detective has
dogged his steps all over Europe, and has
sent almost daily reports of his movements,
based in a limited degree on facts, but to a
larger extent malicious and imaginative.
Mr.. Blaine has made no attempt to conceal
from the friends he has met the excessive
annoyance and irritation which this 'shad-
owing has caused him, and he has more
than once appealed in vain to his tormenter
to relinquish his persecution. Certainly it
would be rather difficult to conceive a more
contemplate piece of business, and no per-
sonal or political enemy of Mr.. Blaine pos
sessing the attributes of decent manhood
but must condemn any such species of war
fare. As Mr.. Blaine said to one of his
friends, the consciousness that his every
movement and utterance was liable to be
construed and misrepresented by maleyo-
lent pen was detracting immensely from the
enjoyment which he had anticipated when
starting on his trip"
Postal Telegraph.
Among the Senators and Representatives
who have visited Washington in the last
fortnight considerable sentiment has devel
oped in favor Of government postal tele-
graph. Among the most recent expressions
in favor of such system is one by Senator
Culium Of Illinois. Among other things be
have been in favor of government tele-
graph for years; but ever since 1 reached q
conclusion on the subject my time and mind
in the Senate have been so engrossed with
the Interstate Commerce bill that could
not go into other matters in which was al
most as much interested. Now THAT have
that bill off my shoulders, l shall do what
can to urge a Government or Postal Tele.
graph bill in the Senate. II no one else will
introduce bill, l will draft and introduce
one myself
Yes, the subject has been several time!
before the committee on post Offices and pos
roads. believe that bills have been pre-
pared but do not remember that one hal
ever been introduced.
II would not attempt to bargain with JAY
Gould or any other man for the purchase Of
the lines already built. The government
should construct its own system. 1t would
be advisable, presume, to place it in con
troll of the Post Office Department. l be
lieve the Senate is fully ready for the ques
tion, and that such bill, if introduced
would pass without serious opposition. In
view of the history of telegraph ownership
in the United States and in view of recen
occurrences, really don't see how any on,
could show, good reason why government
telegraph should not be constructed as s00I
as possible. But haven't the least doub
that the legislation necessary for the worl
will be enacted within three months"
Maine Postoffices.
William Murray has been commissioned
postmaster of North Vassalbore.
The postoffice at North Milford, Penobsco
county, was changed today to Costigan.
The Nations Gratitude.
Pensions have been granted to residents o
Maine as follows:
ORIGINAL.
George Crosby, Littleton.
Moses p. Attlall, Caribou.
William C. Doe, Presque Isle.
Oliver p. Robbins, Riverside.
Mark G. Weber, Oxford.
L. q. Oliver, Georgetown.
INCREASE.
Luther Haynes, POssadunkeag.
Thomas N. Flint, Stetson.
Asa w. Pitman, Bangor